Jesus talked about the kingdom of heaven in surprising ways. The kingdom animates lives, it unearths treasures, and on a somber note, the kingdom of heaven divides.

Not everyone who hears of the kingdom understands. Some eagerly embrace the kingdom, but allow the issues of life to choke out growth. Sinisterly, a few actively revile the kingdom’s work on this earth. Twice, Jesus points out that those opposed to the kingdom of heaven face a fiery furnace, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Thankfully, Jesus reveals a wonderful alternative to gnashing, one starting in this world and extending into the next. When the kingdom roots in good soil, bountiful growth results. Like leaven in dough, only a sprinkle of the kingdom swells to consume your entire life. The kingdom grows into a lush garden, blessing all around.

The kingdom of heaven carries value beyond our calculations. In fact, its worth exceeds everything even the most wealthy might possess. Twice Jesus describes men gleefully selling all they have in order to possess such a treasure.

Jesus asked his disciples, Have you understood all these things? Yes, they answered. Then he said, Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.

The scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven sounds like those of us who claim to follow Jesus. If that’s the case, then I’m commissioned to help others discover the value of this kingdom, to hold it in their hands and gauge its heft.

Picture acres and acres of botanical gardens filled with the most beautiful flowers and magnificent creatures, criss-crossed with pathways of gold and silver and lustrous pearls. Then, just for fun, add kiosks of freshly baking bread (with butter, of course) to enjoy while strolling the grounds.

Jesus used such metaphors to point our eyes toward the kingdom of heaven, an unsurpassed garden free and open to the public.

Matthew 13 in week thirty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Maria Hada